For many veterans who were involved in heavy combat, PTSD--or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder --can take over their lives once they get home. The trauma of what they have seen and been through can be too much to handle, and they may turn to drugs or alcohol in order to cope with their emotions. Substance abuse affects a large portion of military veterans, making it difficult for them to seek help when depression or suicidal thoughts begin to creep in.
It’s also difficult for some vets to open up about what they have been through, either because they don’t feel comfortable rehashing it or because they feel guilty or ashamed of their own emotions. Talk therapy has proven to be very beneficial for many, but for those who don’t feel comfortable in being so open with a stranger, it can lead to more stress. What follows is a list of the best kinds of therapies for veterans in varying stages of PTSD and how they can benefit from them.
Cognitive therapy
Cognitive therapy basically entails sitting down with a therapist and learning how our brains process information. The goal is to learn to change the way you think and react to things so that you can take the situations that bring fear and anxiety and see them more clearly. This type of therapy is wonderful for veterans who blame themselves for events that occurred during combat that were not their fault.
Exposure therapy
Exposure therapy is a little more involved than cognitive therapy and is not recommended for veterans who are experiencing extreme anxiety or suicidal thoughts. Here, you’ll be instructed to face your worst memories--the ones that bring you so much fear and stress--by recalling them over and over. The goal is to do it so many times that eventually you aren’t overwhelmed by those memories anymore, and this therapy includes learning techniques--such as breathing exercises--that can help you face the anxiety and bad memories without letting them take over.
Art therapy
Art therapy may seem a little too “out there” for some veterans, especially if they don’t consider themselves to be creative. But the truth is, everyone has creativity in them, it’s just that not everyone chooses to express or foster it. By introducing new ways to get in touch with emotions--such as visual art, dance, playing an instrument, or writing--the individual can learn healthy ways to express themselves and perhaps get in touch with the root cause of their anxiety, which can make it easier to banish.
Counseling and group therapy
Some people prefer to talk one-on-one; others find it helpful to be in a group setting with people who have experienced similar traumas. Both are perfectly acceptable forms of therapy, it’s simply a matter of finding which works for you. Being able to talk through your emotions and worst fears can be a huge relief, and it may allow you to figure out things that weren’t so clear when you were thinking about them on your own. These types of therapy are good for individuals who have had suicidal thoughts; knowing you are not alone and that someone is listening is a huge step on the road to recovery.
Medication
It’s important to talk to your doctor and be completely honest about your lifestyle before starting any type of prescribed medication. If you drink or use drugs, tell him, and be truthful about how much. It’s necessary to treat any sort of substance abuse as well as the PTSD--separately--in order for you to get healthy.
